Wouldn’t it be great to wash your hands, go out to the garden and not worry about bug bites as you reach down into the lettuce and spinach plants. It’s all about the scents that bugs don’t like! After a search online about these scents, I found a few that are supposed to work…and I happen to have some of them on hand.
Here are a few of the essential oils that may work to deter bugs:
Catnip, Cedarwood, Citronella, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Manuka, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Vanilla and Tea Tree.
I’ve also been trying to find a substitute for Goat’s Milk Melt & Pour soap. After I use it, the skin on my hands itch terribly (may have to do with my milk allergy). I thought I’d try Coconut Milk soap in two recipes. The first recipe used only Coconut Milk Melt & Pour Soap. The second used Coconut Milk Soap with Shea Butter Melt & Pour Soap.
Recipe 1: Plain Coconut Milk Melt & Pour Soap
This first recipe was to test if I could actually use the soap. I started with 1 lb. of Coconut Milk Melt & Pour Soap.
When melted, I added 20 drops of Orange essential oil and 1 drop of soap tint.
This soap worked great for me! No itchy hands! However, I was unhappy that it didn’t make much lather!
Recipe 2: Gardener’s Hand Soap
Here is the second recipe:
I started with 2 lbs. of the Coconut Milk Soap Base and added 1 lb. of Shea Butter Soap Base (hoping to get a better lather).
The chunks of soap were divided into two 4-cup glass measuring cups and set into pans of water.
When melted, I added Vitamin E oil and essential oils of Lemongrass, Eucalyptus and Rose Geranium.
Then I stirred in a single drop of soap tint and 1/4 tsp. of biodegradable mica powder. I thought the mica powder might add a little grit to clean dirty hands.
This soap was great…made a nice lather…BUT it didn’t leave much of a smell. I was so disappointed! Next time I’ll add more of each scent, or add citronella, which has a stronger scent. Oh well, at least I know I can use the soap! Enjoy!